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Bradley et al identify lung stroma as the target of microbiota-driven signals that set the interferon signature in these cells; antibiotic treatment reduces gut microbiota and the lung stromal interferon signature and facilitates early influenza virus replication in lung epithelia, effects that can be reversed by fecal transplantation. Image credit: Bradley et al, doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.105.

Study: Gut Bacteria Stimulate Antiviral Signals in Lung Cells to Protect against Flu Virus

Jul 8, 2019 by News Staff

In a study of mice, an international team of scientists has discovered that signals from gut bacteria help to maintain a first line of defense in the lining...

Short bursts of exercise directly boost the function of a gene that increases connections between neurons in the hippocampus, the region of the brain associated with learning and memory. Image credit: Matan Ray Vizel.

Brief Periods of Exercise Enhance Brain Function, Animal Study Shows

Jul 5, 2019 by News Staff

In a study done in mice, a team of researchers found that short-term bursts of exercise — the human equivalent of a weekly game of pickup basketball,...

Diet that restricts glucose may help brain function. Image credit: Cattalin.

Atkins-Style Diet May Improve Brain Function and Memory in Older Adults

Jul 2, 2019 by News Staff

A modified Atkins diet (very low carbohydrates and extra fat) may improve brain function and episodic memory, according to a small study of 14 older adults...

Improved cell-phone hygiene may lead to a reduction in infections associated with health care. Image credit: StockSnap.

Researchers Find Pathogenic Bacteria on Medical Students’ Cell Phones

Jul 1, 2019 by News Staff

A team of scientists at the University of Western São Paulo, Brazil, has found Staphylococcus aureus bacteria on nearly 40% of university students’...

Hospital insects present a potential to contribute to persistence and spread of antimicrobial-resistant pathogenic bacteria in the hospital environment. Image credit: Virvoreanu Laurentiu.

Hospital Insects Harbor Potentially Harmful Bacteria, Finds New Study

Jun 28, 2019 by News Staff

In a new study published this month in the Journal of Medical Entomology, researchers from Aston University collected and analyzed 19,937 flying insects...

This digitally-colorized scanning electron microscopic image depicts Enterococcus faecalis. Image credit: Pete Wardell / CDC.

Gut Bacteria Consume Parkinson’s Drug Levodopa, Often with Harmful Side Effects

Jun 27, 2019 by News Staff

Parkinson’s disease is a debilitating neurological condition affecting more than 1% of the global population aged 60 and above. The primary medication...

A radiograph of a 28-year-old male participant. Image credit: Shahar & Sayers, doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-21625-1.

Study: Young People are Developing ‘Hornlike Spikes’ at Back of Their Skull Due to Poor Posture

Jun 26, 2019 by News Staff

Aberrant postures have led to an increase in young adults developing a bone growth at the back of the skull, according to a study by University of the...

Regular coffee consumers can sniff out even small amounts of coffee and are faster at recognizing the aroma. Image credit: StockSnap.

Coffee Directly Stimulates Your Body’s Brown Fat, New Study Finds

Jun 26, 2019 by News Staff

Drinking a cup of coffee can stimulate brown adipose tissue (also known as brown fat), an important part of the human body which plays a key role in how...

Swimming in Ocean Alters Diversity and Composition of Human Skin Microbiome, Study Shows

Jun 25, 2019 by News Staff

A new study by University of California, Irvine researchers has found that recreational ocean water exposure changes the human skin microbiome, and waterborne...

After eating a low-carb diet, more than half the participants saw their metabolic syndrome reversed even though they were fed diets that intentionally contained enough calories to keep their weight stable. Image credit: Hyde et al, doi: 10.1172/jci.insight.128308.

Low-Carb Diet Benefits People with Metabolic Syndrome Independent of Weight Loss

Jun 24, 2019 by News Staff

A new study published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation Insight shows that metabolic syndrome — a cluster of factors that also put people...

Müller et al investigated the physicochemical process of extracellular matrix calcification in both physiological (bone) and pathological (vascular calcification) contexts; they found that oxidative stress-induced poly(ADP-ribose) nucleates calcium phosphatemineral crystals on extracellular matrix substrates and that calcification is inhibited by poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) enzyme inhibitors. Image credit: Müller et al, doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.05.038.

Molecule Normally Associated with DNA Repair Plays Central Role in Hardening of Arteries: Study

Jun 21, 2019 by News Staff

A new study, published in the June 11 issue of the journal Cell Reports, found that poly(ADP ribose), or PAR, a molecule once thought only to exist inside...

Nilvadipine, a dihydropyridine calcium antagonist that is in use as an antihypertensive agent, increased hippocampal cerebral blood flow (CBF) while lowering blood pressure in people with Alzheimer’s disease. These findings indicate that the known decrease in CBF in Alzheimer’s patients can in some regions be reversed. Image credit: OpenStax College / Anatomy & Physiology, cnx.org / CC BY 3.0.

Hypertension Drug Increases Hippocampal Blood Flow in Patients with Alzheimer’s Disease

Jun 18, 2019 by News Staff

Cerebrovascular changes, including reduced cerebral blood flow, occur early in the development of Alzheimer’s disease and may accelerate disease progression....

Shea et al examined the association between vitamin K status and incident mobility disability in the Health, Aging, and Body Composition Study. Image credit: Coombesy.

Vitamin K Involved in Disablement Process in Older Age, Study Suggests

Jun 14, 2019 by News Staff

Reduced levels of circulating vitamin K are linked to an increased risk of mobility limitation and disability in older adults, according to a study published...

NO-Scv gel-mediated anti-inflammation therapy. Image credit: Pohang University of Science and Technology.

Nitric Oxide-Scavenging Nanogel Could Treat Rheumatoid Arthritis

Jun 12, 2019 by News Staff

Nitric oxide (NO), a radical gas molecule produced by nitric oxide synthase, prevents high blood pressure and artery plaque build-up in the human body....

Sleeping with a TV or artificial light on may be a risk factor for gaining weight or developing obesity. Image credit: Pexels.

Having Artificial Light On While Sleeping Increases Risk of Weight Gain and Obesity in Women

Jun 12, 2019 by News Staff

Exposure to artificial light while sleeping may be a risk factor for weight gain and development of overweight or obesity, says a new study from the National...

The study sheds new light on the link between sleep deprivation and obesity. Image credit: Sweet Briar College.

Study: People Who Sleep Less Than Seven Hours Show Lower Intakes of Micro- and Macronutrients

Jun 10, 2019 by News Staff

In a new study, a team of researchers from Pharmavite LLC and Nutrition Impact LLC found that people who got fewer than seven hours of sleep per night...

Weekend recovery sleep doesn’t prevent weight gain or reduce insulin sensitivity. Image credit: Wok & Apix.

Metabolic Abnormalities More Prevalent Among Irregular Sleepers, Study Finds

Jun 7, 2019 by News Staff

A study published in the journal Diabetes Care has found that not sticking to a regular bedtime and wakeup schedule can put a person at higher risk for...

Moderate to heavy coffee consumption is not associated with having stiffer arteries. Image credit: Katie175.

Study: Moderate to Heavy Coffee Consumption Doesn’t Increase Arterial Stiffness

Jun 5, 2019 by News Staff

Arteries carry blood containing oxygen and nutrients from your heart to the rest of your body. If they become stiff, it can increase the workload on the...

A daily intake of one cup of blueberries improved endothelial function, systemic arterial stiffness and attenuated cyclic guanosine monophosphate concentrations. Image credit: Heidelbergerin.

Eating Blueberries Daily Reduces Risk of Cardiovascular Disease: Study

Jun 4, 2019 by News Staff

Eating one cup (150 g) of blueberries daily reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease by up to 15%, according to a new study. A daily intake of one cup...